ATEN VS481b User manual

VS481B
USER MANUAL
4-Port HDMI Switch

EMC Information
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION INTERFERENCE
STATEMENT: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial
environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely
to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to
correct the interference at his own expense.
The device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by
the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
CE Warning: This is a class A product. In a domestic environment this
product may cause radio interference in which case the user may be
required to take adequate measures.
RoHS
This product is RoHS compliant.
SJ/T 11364-2006
The following contains information that relates to China.

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VS481BUser Manual
Online Registration
Telephone Support
Technical Support
For international online technical support – including
troubleshooting, documentation, and software updates:
http://support.aten.com
For North American technical support:
International http://support.aten.com
International 886-2-8692-6959
China 86-10-5255-0110
Japan 81-3-5615-5811
Korea 82-2-467-6789
North America 1-888-999-ATEN ext 4988
United Kingdom 44-8448-158923
Email Support [email protected]
Online
Technical
Support
Troubleshooting
Documentation
Software Updates
http://support.aten.com
Telephone Support 1-888-999-ATEN ext 4998

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Package Contents
The VS481Bpackage contains the following items:
1 VS481B4-Port HDMI Switch
1 HDMI Cable
1 IR Remote Control
1 Power Adapter
1 User Instructions*
Check to make sure that all the components are present and that
nothing got damaged in shipping. If you encounter a problem,
contact your dealer.
Read this manual thoroughly and follow the installation and
operation procedures carefully to prevent any damage to the unit,
and/or any of the devices connected to it.
*Features may have been added to the VS481Bsince this
manual was published. Please visit our website to download
the most up-to-date version of the manual.
Copyright © 2014 ATEN® International Co., Ltd.
Manual Date: 10/2014
Firmware: V1.0.062
ATEN and the ATEN logo are trademarks of ATEN International Co., Ltd. All rights
reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Overview
The VS481B4-Port HDMI Switch allows you to connect 4 HDMI
sources to one HDMI display and quickly switch between the
devices via front panel pushbuttons, RS-232 or IR remote control.
The VS481Bhas four HDMI ports to provide device connections
for digital cameras, Blue-ray players, satellite receivers,
camcorders, PC's, gaming consoles and more.
The VS481Bsupports resolutions up to 4k2k using the new Ultra
HD digital format for high-definition displays.
The VS481B’s Instant Switching capability provides a smooth
transition between HDMI ports to increase system efficiency. The
auto switching feature provides different modes for auto port
selection when a device loses power or a new device is plugged
into the VS481B.
The built-in bi-directional RS-232 serial port allows the switch to
be controlled through a high-end controller, PC, and/or
automation/theater software package.

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Features
Allows up to four HDMI A/V sources to be connected to one
HDMI display
Quick and easy switching between HDMI sources via front
panel pushbuttons, RS-232 or IR Remote control
Supports 340MHz bandwidth for high performance video
Auto switching modes for auto port selection
HDMI (3D, Deep Color, 4kx2k); HDCP compatible
Long distance transmission – up to 15 m (24 AWG)
Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) support
Supports Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio
Built-in bi-directional RS-232 serial port for high-end system
control*
Instant switching between HDMI input sources
Supports IR extension using a receiver extension cable**
LED indication of selected video source
Note: 1. The RS-232 AP can be downloaded from our website:
www.aten.com.
2. The IR extension cable is sold separately. To purchase
an IR extension cable, contact your dealer and refer to
part 2XRT-0003G.

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System Requirements
Source Device(s)
HDMI Type A output connector(s)
Note: A DVI/HDMI adapter is required when connecting a DVI
source device.
Display Device
A display device or receiver with an HDMI Type A input
connector
Cables
4 HDMI cables
Note: 1. We strongly recommend that you purchase high-quality
cables of appropriate length since this will affect the
quality of the audio and video display. Contact your
dealer to purchase the correct cables.
2. If you wish to utilize the VS481B’s high-end serial
controller function, you will also need to purchase an
appropriate RS-232 cable. See Installing the RS-232
Controller, page 11.

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Components
VS481BFront View
No. Component Function
1 HDMI Input Port Plug the cable from an HDMI source
device into this port.
2 Port Selection
Pushbuttons
Pressing a port selection pushbutton
routes the A/V source from the
corresponding input port to the output port
for display.
3 IR Receiver This receives signals from the IR remote
control.
4 Port LEDs The SELECTED LED lights up (green) to
indicate that the port is selected.
2
4
3
1

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VS481BRear View
No. Component Function
1 Power Jack The power adapter cable plugs in here.
2 HDMI Output Port The cable from the HDMI display device
plugs in here.
3 HDMI Input Port The cables from the HDMI source devices
can plug into any of three available ports.
4 RS-232 Serial
Port
This is the serial remote port for input
source selection and high-end system
control.
5 IR Extension Port Connect the IR Extender to this port.
Note: An IR receiver can be purchased
separately, contact your ATEN dealer for
details.
3
21 45

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IR Remote Control
No. Component Function
1 Port Up / Port
Down Buttons
Press the Port Up button to cycle forward
through the source devices (1 to 2; 2 to 3; 3 to
4; 4 to 1).
Press the Port Down button to cycle backward
through the source devices (4 to 3; 3 to 2; 2 to
1; 1 to 4).
2 Port Selection
Buttons
Press a button to bring the focus directly to the
source device attached to its associated port.
1
2

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Installation
Installation of the VS481Bis simply a matter of plugging in the
appropriate cables.
To install the switch, refer to the installation diagram on page 12
as you perform the following steps:
1. Use an HDMI cable to connect the HDMI input port on the
video display device to the HDMI output port on the rear of
the VS481B.
2. Use HDMI cables to connect the HDMI output ports on the
source device(s) to the HDMI input ports on the VS481B.
Three HDMI input ports are located on the rear of the switch;
the fourth HDMI port is located on the front of the switch.
3. (Optional) If you have an IR receiver*, plug it into the IR
Extension port and place it where the IR remote can reach it.
4. Plug the provided power adapter into an appropriate AC
power source; plug the power adapter cable into the Power
Jack on the VS481B.
Note: To purchase an IR extension cable, contact your dealer
and refer to part 2XRT-0003G.
Installing the RS-232 Controller
To attach a high-end controller (such as a PC) to the VS481B’s
RS-232 serial interface, use a serial cable. The end connecting
to the VS481Bshould have a 9-pin male connector. Connect this
to the serial interface on the rear of the VS481B. Refer to number
5 on the diagram on page 12.
Note: To configure the serial port, see page 14.
1. Make sure that the power to all devices you will be
installing has been turned off.
2. Make sure that all devices you will be installing are
properly grounded.

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Installation Diagram
4
1
2
Hardware / Software
Controller
HDMI A/V
Source Devices
HDMI Output Device
5
OR
3

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Source Device Selection
The 4-Port HDMI Switch offers easy and flexible source device
selection with either the front panel pushbuttons, remote control,
or through the RS-232 serial interface.
Source device selection and other system controls can be
managed by using RS-232 serial commands. See RS-232 Serial
Interface, page 14.
By default auto switch will place priority on the next port that has
a new source device connected to it.
Manual Selection
To select a source device, press the pushbutton that corresponds
to the port it is connected to.
Note: The SELECTED LED (green) light indicates which port is
currently selected.
Remote Control Selection
To select a source device with the remote control, press the
number button that corresponds to the port it is connected to.
Alternatively, you may also cycle through the available source
devices by pushing the Port Up and Port Down buttons on the
remote control unit.
Use the Port Up button to select the next available port in
ascending order (from left to right on the front view panel).
Use the Port Down button to select the next available port in
descending order (from right to left on the front view panel).
Note: 1. The maximum range of the remote control unit is 6
meters (20 ft.).
2. Aim the remote control unit at the IR receiver located on
the front panel of the VS481B. For optimum
performance, make sure there is a clear line-of-sight
between the remote control unit and the IR receiver.

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RS-232 Serial Interface
The VS481B’s built-in bi-directional RS-232 serial interface
allows system control through a high-end controller, PC, and/or
automation/theater software package.
Configuring the Serial Port
The controller’s serial port should be configured as follows:
Verification
After entering a command, using the instructions on the pages
that follow, a verification message appears at the end of the
command line as follows:
Command OK - indicates that the command is correct and
successfully performed by the switch
Command incorrect - indicates that the command has the
wrong format and/or values.
Baud Rate 19200
Data Bits 8
Parity None
Stop Bits 1
Flow Control None

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Switch Port Command
The formulas for Switch Port commands are as follows:
1. Switch Command + Input + Port Number + Control [Enter]
For example, to switch to input port 02, type the following:
sw i02 [Enter]
2. Switch Command + Control [Enter]
For example, to switch to the next input port, type the following:
sw + [Enter]
3. Switch Command + Control [Enter]
For example, to disable the HDMI output signal, type the
following:
sw off [Enter]
The following tables show the possible values and formats for the
Switch Port formulas:
Note: Each command can be separated with a space.
Command Description
sw Switch Command
Input Description
i Input command
Port Number Description
xx 01-04 port (default is 01)
Control Description
on Enable HDMI Output Signal
off Disable HDMI Output Signal
+NextPort
-Previous Port

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The following table lists the available commands:
Read Command
To view the current configuration settings of the device.
The formula for the Read command is as follows:
1. Read Command [Enter]
To read the current configuration settings, type the following:
read [Enter]
The following table shows the value for the Read formula:
Reset Command
Resets the device back to the factory default settings.
The formula for the Reset command is as follows:
1. Reset Command [Enter]
To reset the device to the factory default settings, type the
following:
reset [Enter]
The following table shows the value for the Reset formula:
Command Input Port Control Enter Description
sw i xx [Enter] Switch Input Port
sw on [Enter] Turn on (Display on)
off [Enter] Turn off (No Display)
sw + [Enter] Switch to the next input
- [Enter] Switch to the previous
input
Command Description
read Read information from the device
Command Description
reset Resets the device back to the factory
default settings

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Switch Mode Command
You can choose how the VS481Bbehaves when a new input
source is connected to it. By default the Next switch mode setting
is enabled. Use the commands below to select a different mode.
There are three Switch Modes:
Next - Switch priority is placed on the next port that has a new
source device connected to it. (default)
Default - The switch behaves normally without automatic
switching.
Auto - Places priority on a selected port so that when a source is
connected to the said port, the VS481Bautomatically switches to
it, and the port can not be changed until the source is unplugged
or auto switching mode is disabled with the default command.
In addition, the Go To function enables the VS481Bto switch to
the next port with a powered on source device when the current
input source device is powered off.
The formulas for Switch Mode commands are as follows:
1. Switch Command + Input Command + Port Number + Control
[Enter]
For example, to enable Auto mode for port 02, type the following:
swmode i02 auto [Enter]
2. Switch Command + Control [Enter]
For example, to enable Next mode, type the following:
swmode next [Enter]
3. Switch Command + Control [Enter]
For example, to enable Default mode to disable Next/Auto mode,
type the following:
swmode default [Enter]
4. Switch Command + Control [Enter]
For example, to enable the Go To function, type the following:
swmode goto on [Enter]

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The following tables show the possible values and formats for the
Switch Mode formulas:
The following table lists the available commands:
Command Description
swmode Switch Mode command
Input Command Description
i Input command
Port number Description
xx 01-04 port (default is 01)
Control Description
next Priority is placed on the next port that
has a new source connected to it
(default)
default No automatic switching
auto Priority is placed on a selected port
Control Description
goto on Switch to the next port with a
powered on source device when the
current input source is off.
goto off Disable Go To (default)
Command Input Port # Control Enter Description
swmode - - default [Enter] Use Default switch
mode
- - next [Enter] Use Next switch mode
i xx auto [Enter] Use Auto switch mode
for port #
- - goto on [Enter] Enable Go To function
- - goto off [Enter] Disable Go To function

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Hot Plug Detect Command
When enabled Hot Plug Detect (HPD) will force the connected
source device to read the displays EDID information. When
disable, the device will skip the HPD process to save time. The
EDID contains a display's basic information and is used by the
source device to utilize the best resolution across different
monitors.
The formulas for Hot Plug Detect (HPD) commands are as
follows:
1. HPD Command + Control [Enter]
For example, to enable Hot Plug Detect, type the following:
hpd on [Enter]
The following tables show the possible values and formats for the
HPD formulas:
The following table lists the available commands:
Command Description
hpd Hot Plug Detect command
Control Description
on Enables Hot Plug Detect
off Disables Hot Plug Detect (default)
Command Control Enter Description
hpd on [Enter] Enables Hot Plug
Detect
off [Enter] Disables Hot Plug
Detect

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Baud Rate Command
You can select the RS-232 Baud Rate you want the VS481Bto
use. Options are 9600, 19200 (default), 38400, and 57600.
The formulas for the Baud Rate commands are as follows:
1. Baud Command + Control [Enter]
For example, to select 38400 as your baud rate, type the
following:
baud 38400 [enter]
The following tables show the possible values and formats for the
Baud Rate formulas:
The following table lists the available commands:
Command Description
baud Sets the RS-232 baud rate
Control Description
9600 Use 9600 baud rate
19200 Use 19200 baud rate (default)
38400 Use 38400 baud rate
57600 Use 57600 baud rate
Command Control Enter Description
baud 9600 / 19200 / 38400 /
57600
[Enter] Sets the RS-232
baud rate